Braden Holtby left the Capitals-Blue Jackets game in the second period after a dangerous play in the crease.
The Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender absorbed a high stick to his left eye from Cam Atkinson.
Atkinson’s stick appears to knick Holtby’s eye through his mask. The play happened 8:43 into the stanza. According to NBC Sports Washington, Holtby wears contacts.
Here’s another look.
After spending the entire TV timeout at the Capitals bench getting treatment from Jason Serbus, Holtby did not feel comfortable enough to continue and yielded the ice to backup goaltender Pheonix Copley.
Atkinson was given a two-minute minor for high sticking.
The Capitals announced during the second intermission that Holtby would not return to the game.
#Caps goaltender Braden Holtby continues to be evaluated. Pheonix Copley will be the goaltender for the remainder of the game.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 13, 2019
Holtby made 10 saves on 11 shots in the game, giving up only a breakaway goal to Atkinson in the first minute of the first period.
After the game, head coach Todd Reirden addressed Holtby’s injury.
“Obviously, he didn’t return to the game and he’ll be getting reevaluated later tonight,” Reirden said. “I’m very concerned. Saw the play initially from the bench and was able to see the replay of it. Our initial discussion with our trainers and doctors – that’s a serious thing. He wasn’t able to return to the game and we’ll get some more evaluation tonight and a little bit tomorrow and have a better update for you then.”
